Origen 360 Update 08-25-05

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The viral odyssey continues, new info included.

By David Clayman

Last weekend Microsoft launched a cryptic new web site at origenxbox360.com. The site is composed of a single page of flash showing a tree, a green bunny, and a numerical countdown in the background. This sort of thing is old hat to gamers already acquainted with Microsoft's previous viral marketing campaigns ilovebees and ourcolony. Considering the approaching launch window of Xbox 360, this time the stakes are a bit higher.

For a synopsis of what has already appeared on the site please see our original article.

Recently the site was updated with slight changes made to the original display. The bunny shape has been moved to the other side of the tree, which is now sinking into a black hole in the ground. The tree is also a slightly different shape and appears to be bearing fruit. A comparison between the two pictures is included below in an animated GIF that switches after a few seconds.

We've received numerous submissions concerning the meaning of this new viral campaign including hidden clues concerning the original post and the new update.

The countdown timer in the background is still counting down to September 27th at noon. What will occur at this time is anyone's guess but looking back on ilovebees offers a suggestion. Devoted fans of that "alternate reality game" were rewarded with a chance to play Halo 2 early at a private gathering. Origen might conclude with a similar preview of 360 hardware and software.

Going to originxobox360.org now redirects to a google groups search for boyskateras/'J. What this mean is anyone's guess.

If you look at the Leipzig Conference video of Scott Henson he has a brown shirt on. If you notice when he comes up to show Kameo on 360 he is wearing a shirt with 2 neon green rabbits and a darker green rabbit on the left of the two neon green ones. He is doing what J Allard did to promote ourcolony.net with the ant t-shirt at a presentation.

Submitted by Justin Noel

The tree pictured may be a Banyan tree which has a bit of history behind it. One interesting thing is that many roots branch off of the main structure and in the ground new trunks can be formed from just one tree forming more and more Banyans in the surrounding area. This may be a symbol that one Xbox 360, stems into your home, and connects you to other Xbox 360s, as well as connectivity with many other things inside your house, and with other players through XBox Live. Banyan is the pronunciation for the word "Bodhi" in ancient India language, and it means consciousness or intelligence. It refers to the state when a person becomes "awake" for something suddenly or comes to realize the truth or reaches an outstanding level in comprehending the world Xbox 360 is already known for its wide connectivity, out of the box, or upon awakening and being turned on.

Submitted by Steve VandenBrink

Keep it on IGN and we'll have more information on the new viral campaign as it progresses.